Stress at work? It's never just workload
- Tracey Hewett
- Nov 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Discover 6 known causes of work-related stress and what to do about it
Most people think that work-related stress occurs when someone's workload is more than they can deal with. Whilst this is true, it's never just workload that's in play when someone is feeling stressed at work.
I say this because every stress audit I've ever done, whether as an in-house coach or with my private clients, consistently flags up other factors.
Yet managers tend to focus solely on adjusting an individual's workload.
And, I get it, they're responsible for delivery. But, simply right-sizing the load is not usually the only thing that needs attention.
And, why is that?
Because human beings have innate psycho-social needs that must be met if they're to work well and perform at their best.
The 6 causes of work-related stress
The UK Health and Safety Executive identified six factors relating to job design and working conditions that, can cause us to feel stressed at work, if not adequately managed.
They are:
change
control
demands
relationships
role
support
Ways they can cause you to become stressed include:
you’re not given sufficient information to understand new developments, restructuring or processes (change).
there is little opportunity to comment or be involved in decisions that affect you and the way you work (change).
you have little say in what you are to do, how you're to do it or when (control)
you have to work very fast and/or intensely (control/pace).
lunch breaks are a thing of the past (demands)
your diary is full of meetings leaving no time to get work done in your contracted hours (demands)
you feel harassed or bullied by others (relationships)
you have a difficulty with a colleague, client or customer (relationships)
you don’t understand what is expected of you and/or there is no job description (role)
you're lacking the knowledge to do the job (role)
the processes/procedures are confusing or frustrating (support)
your manager doesn’t encourage you or shows no interest in your work (support).
There are other working conditions that can cause stress but, from this dozen alone, you'll see why it's likely to be more than just workload!
Who should manage these factors?
Let's bust another myth. Workplace stress is not a personal problem, it's a health and safety one.
All UK employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work by assessing risk and acting on it.
This is the same duty they have to protect people from other health and safety risks. Therefore, your workplace should be regularly undertaking an organisation-wide stress risk assessment and acting upon its findings.
Additionally, knowing that there are certain factors that can cause stress, managers are in the perfect position to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
However, they can only do this if they are engaging people in wellbeing conversations and, you tell them if you are struggling.
What can an employee do?
Health and safety at work is generally considered a joint responsibility between employer and employee. Both you and your employer want and need you fit for work. Therefore, it is in both parties' interests that you speak up if you’re finding things at work challenging.
A way to do this is to undertake your own stress audit and setting up a meeting to discuss putting things right.
Doing so demonstrates that you want something done, you have considered what is impacting you and, you have identified ways the problem might be resolved.
This is exactly what I do with those who come to me for help with managing stress, preventing or recovering from burnout. Along with looking at coping strategies, we look at each of the six potential stressors to unpack what’s going on. Once we've identified all the issues, we consider what might help.
I’ve seen clients go on to set up meetings with their manager or manager’s manager to put in place what they need to think and work well. One person, having worked through the audit with me, left our session with 11 actions and she got them all!
Nothing changes if nothing changes
If you're finding things at work difficult, I advocate that you set up a meeting with your manager to discuss your issues and how they might be resolved.
Ahead of time, take some time to review the stressors at play. This will help you prepare for the conversation and keep the focus on what you need in order to perform at your best.
If a conversation with your manager is going to be difficult for you, consider setting the meeting up with another senior member of staff, having a support person with you or sharing the stress audit by email.
Final thoughts
It never ceases to amaze me that these six factors are the very same things that enable us to think and work well (aka engage with our work) and, that it is nothing more than meeting someone’s innate human needs.
When a flower doesn't bloom, you change the environment.
If you, or an employee you're responsible for, is feeling stressed, I have a gift for you. Download the work-related stress audit I use with my clients to discover what factors are causing distress and what would help.
Take care of you.
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